Letter-Vote for smoking accommodation

Vote for accommodation

On Election Day, Nevada residents will be asked to vote on two different ballot questions involving restrictions on smoking in public places. Question Number 4 on the ballot will protect adults and children from smoke, but still allow adult-only smoking areas in restaurants, bars and taverns. Other areas in these establishments would be set-aside as non-smoking areas. Hotels could also continue to offer either non-smoking and smoking rooms to their guests.

Many business organizations support Question Number 4 because keeping a small business profitable and open is hard enough and a complete statewide smoking ban would force some businesses to close and jobs would be lost. Question Number 4 will protect jobs, businesses and the state's tourist-based economy.

However, Question Number 5 on the ballot would be financially devastating to bars, restaurants and taverns because smoking would be banned in these establishments. Question Number 5 would take away the right of business owners to decide what kind of smoking policy is best for their establishment, even if only adults patronize the bar or restaurant. Clearly, many businesses would be on the losing end if Question Number 5 is passed.

The end result of Question Number 5 would be the closing of family-owned bars and restaurants resulting in the lay-off of loyal and hardworking employees.

We need some common sense on this issue, not a complete and total prohibition on smoking. On Election Day, please vote Yes on Question Number 4 and vote No on Question Number 5.

Thomas Briant

Executive Director, National Association of Tobacco Outlets, Inc.

Minneapolis, Minn.